IRRADIATION PROBE SYSTEM AND IRRADIATION PROBE
An irradiation probe system, includes: an irradiation probe having a core and first cladding surrounding the core; at least one light source; and a coupling portion that couples light output by the at least one light source, to at least one of the core and the first cladding, wherein the core includes a first input end portion at one end of an axis of the core, and an output end portion that is at the other end of the axis, and the first cladding includes: a second input end portion at one end of the axis; and a leakage portion that is provided at a position separate from the second input end portion and leaks, radially outward, light transmitted inside the first cladding, from an outer peripheral surface of the first cladding.
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This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/JP2022/012466, filed on Mar. 17, 2022 which claims the benefit of priority of the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-056454, filed on Mar. 30, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUNDThis disclosure relates to irradiation probe systems and irradiation probes.
A known probe for medical use emits laser light from a distal end of the probe (for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, Publication No. 2011-104199).
SUMMARYThe position from which the light is emitted in the probe of Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, Publication No. 2011-104199 is just the distal end of the probe and the range irradiated with the light is thus limited to just a region near the distal end.
Enabling increase in the irradiation range of this type of irradiation probe would be beneficial. A cylindrical diffuser has been known as an irradiation probe with an increased irradiation range. The cylindrical diffuser, which enables uniform irradiation over a wide range in a longitudinal direction is suitable for treatment of a lesion generated in a fistula, such as an esophagus, or a bladder, such as a stomach.
Plural diffusers may be used for irradiation of an affected part with light in photodynamic therapy (PDT). For example, in a case that may be considered, a central part of a tumor is irradiated with light high in energy density from a fiber edge and a peripheral part of the tumor is irradiated over a wide range with light low in energy density by a cylindrical diffuser. In this case, more than one medical doctor holds more than one diffuser for treatment, raising the difficulty and cost of the surgery. As to the case, if a diffuser that enables irradiation of more than one part on its own were available, the difficulty and cost of the surgery would be decreased and burdens on both the medical doctor and the patient would thus be able to be reduced.
There is a need for an irradiation probe system and an irradiation probe that have been improved, are novel, and enable irradiation of more than one location using just one irradiation probe.
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an irradiation probe system including: an irradiation probe having a core and first cladding surrounding the core; at least one light source; and a coupling portion that couples light output by the at least one light source, to at least one of the core and the first cladding, wherein the core includes a first input end portion at one end of an axis of the core, and an output end portion that is at the other end of the axis, and the first cladding includes: a second input end portion at one end of the axis; and a leakage portion that is provided at a position separate from the second input end portion and leaks, radially outward, light transmitted inside the first cladding, from an outer peripheral surface of the first cladding.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an irradiation probe including a core and first cladding surrounding the core, and the core includes: a first input end portion at one end of an axis of the core; and an output end portion that is at the other end of the axis, and the first cladding includes: a second input end portion at one end of the axis; and a leakage portion that is provided at a position separate from the second input end portion and leaks, radially outward, light transmitted inside the first cladding, from an outer peripheral surface of the first cladding.
An exemplary embodiment of this disclosure will be disclosed hereinafter. Configurations of the embodiment and functions and results (effects) brought about by these configurations described hereinafter are just examples. This disclosure may be implemented by configurations other than those disclosed hereinafter with respect to the embodiment. Furthermore, this disclosure achieves at least one of various effects (including derivative effects) achieved by these configurations.
Examples described hereinafter include like components. Therefore, the configurations of these examples achieve like functions and effects based on the like components. Furthermore, the same reference sign will hereinafter be assigned to such like components and any redundant explanation thereof may be omitted.
Ordinals are assigned in this specification for convenience to distinguish between parts, portions, and functional units, for example, and do not indicate any order of priority or sequential order.
Embodiment Configuration of Irradiation Probe SystemThe optical output device 100 has plural light source units 110. The light source units 110 each have a light source that outputs laser light, and an optical system that guides light from the light source to the delivery optical fiber 20 (both of which are not illustrated in the drawings). The light source includes, for example, a laser element that outputs laser light. Furthermore, the optical output device 100 has, for example, in this embodiment, the plural light source units 110, that is, light sources, but without being limited to this example, the optical output device 100 may just have at least one light source unit 110.
Each of the light source units 110 and the irradiation probe 10 are optically connected to each other via: the delivery optical fiber 20 provided correspondingly to that light source unit 110; and the coupling portion 30. That is, the delivery optical fibers 20 transmit light output by the light source units 110, to the coupling portion 30, and the coupling portion 30 couples the light transmitted by the delivery optical fibers 20, to the irradiation probe 10.
The irradiation probe 10 includes an optical fiber, has an elongated, cylindrical, and linear shape, and has flexibility. Furthermore, the irradiation probe 10 has an end portion 10a that is at one end of an axis of the irradiation probe 10, and an end portion 10b that is at the other end of the axis. The end portion 10a is an input end adjacent to the coupling portion 30, the input end being where light from the coupling portion 30 is input, and may also be referred to as a proximal end. Furthermore, the end portion 10b is positioned at an opposite end of the axis, the opposite end being opposite to the end where the end portion 10a is positioned, and may also be referred to as a distal end.
The irradiation probe 10 has a leakage portion 11 and a transmission portion 12. The leakage portion 11 is provided over a predetermined length along the axis, at a position separate from the end portion 10a, and is a section where light is leaked radially outward from an outer peripheral surface 10c of the irradiation probe 10. The transmission portion 12 is a section where light is transmitted: between the end portion 10a and the leakage portion 11; between the leakage portion 11 and the end portion 10b; or between two leakage portions 11 sandwiching an interval in a case where plural leakage portions 11 are provided with the interval therebetween along the axis. In this embodiment, for example, the leakage portion 11 is provided only in the section adjacent to the end portion 10b, but without being limited to this example, the leakage portion 11 may be provided separately from the end portion 10b.
The control device 200 is capable of controlling the light source units 110 to output light and stop outputting light, for example. Furthermore, the control device 200 is capable of controlling operation of a device or a part other than the light source units 110 in the irradiation probe system 1. The input unit 220 is included in a user interface operated by an operator (a user) and inputs instruction signals to the control device 200 according to input of operations by the operator. The input unit 220 is an example of an operation input unit.
Configuration of Irradiation Probe
Light input via the coupling portion 30 is transmitted inside each of the core 10d and the first cladding 10e of the transmission portion 12. Light transmitted inside the core 10d will hereinafter be referred to as first light and light transmitted inside the first cladding 10e will be referred to as second light.
The second cladding 10f may be, for example, an outer cover made of a resin material, such as a synthetic resin material having flexibility. Furthermore, the second cladding 10f may be air. In this case, the second cladding 10f does not exist between the end portion 10a and the leakage portion 11 and the outer peripheral surface 10c of the first cladding 10e is exposed at least from the second cladding 10f in the transmission portion 12. The transmission portion 12 may have an outer cover surrounding the second cladding 10f. In these configurations, the second cladding 10f or the outer cover is an example of a first covering layer surrounding the outer peripheral surface 10c of the first cladding 10e at least between the end portion 10a and the leakage portion 11. This first covering layer enables reduction of leakage of the second light from the first cladding 10e. Furthermore, a portion of the irradiation probe 10 may be wholly covered with an outer cover, the portion being a portion to be inserted into a body.
The leakage portion 11 leaks the second light transmitted inside the first cladding 10e, radially outward from the outer peripheral surface 10c of the first cladding 10e. In this embodiment, the leakage portion 11 does not have second cladding. Furthermore, in this embodiment, for example, recessed portions 11a are provided on the outer peripheral surface 10c of the first cladding 10e in the leakage portion 11. In this case, the second light is refracted at the recessed portions 11a and thus the traveling direction of the second light is changed, that is, the second light is scattered, and the second light leaks radially outward from the outer peripheral surface 10c. The outer peripheral surface 10c may be provided with protruding portions, instead of the recessed portions 11a. These protruding portions may be, for example, portions between the recessed portions 11a. In this embodiment, these recessed portions 11a or protruding portions promote the leakage of the second light radially outward from the first cladding 10e. Adjusting, as appropriate, specifications, such as the positions to provide the recessed portions 11a or protruding portions, the density at which the recessed portions 11a or protruding portions are provided, and/or the sizes or depths of the recessed portions 11a or protruding portions, enables appropriate adjustment of the distribution of levels of leakage of the second light along the axis of the leakage portion 11.
The first light transmitted through the core 10d, on the other hand, is output from the end portion 10b. The end portion 10b of the core 10d is an example of an output end portion. The first cladding 10e enables reduction of leakage of the first light from the outer peripheral surface of the core 10d.
Accordingly, the irradiation probe 10 is capable of outputting first light La (see
Furthermore, as illustrated in
Configuration of Coupling Portion
Furthermore, as illustrated in
As illustrated in
Furthermore, as illustrated in
Furthermore, as illustrated in
Furthermore, as illustrated in
Furthermore, the numerical aperture of the light source unit 111 at an optical connection between the light source unit 111 and the delivery optical fiber 21 is set to be approximately the same as or slightly smaller than the numerical aperture of the delivery optical fiber 21. In addition, the numerical aperture of the delivery optical fiber 21 at an optical connection between the delivery optical fiber 21 (the coupling portion 30) and the end portion 10a of the irradiation probe 10 is set to be approximately the same as or slightly smaller than the numerical aperture of the core 10d. Similarly, the numerical aperture of the light source unit 112 is set to be approximately the same as or slightly smaller than the numerical aperture of the delivery optical fiber 22. Furthermore, the numerical aperture of the delivery optical fiber 22 at an optical connection between the delivery optical fiber 22 (the coupling portion 30) and the end portion 10a of the irradiation probe 10 is set to be approximately the same as or slightly smaller than the numerical aperture of the first cladding 10e. Setting the numerical apertures as described above reduces losses at the optical connections for the first light and second light. The numerical aperture of the first cladding 10e is larger than the numerical aperture of the core 10d. Therefore, the numerical aperture of the light source unit 112 is larger than the numerical aperture of the light source unit 111. The settings of the numerical apertures of the light source units 110 may be changed according to, for example, the design of the numerical aperture of a lens system of an output unit not illustrated in the drawings.
As described above, the control device 200 is capable of performing switchover between output of light and stoppage of output of light by the light source units 110. Therefore, the control of the operation of the light source units 110 by the control device 200 enables switchover between: a state where the first light output by the light source unit 111 is output from the end portion 10b of the irradiation probe 10; a state where the second light output by the light source unit 112 is output from the outer peripheral surface 10c of the leakage portion 11 of the irradiation probe 10; a state where the first light output by the light source unit 111 is output from the end portion 10b of the irradiation probe 10 and the second light output by the light source unit 112 is output from the outer peripheral surface 10c of the irradiation probe 10; and a state where none of the first light and second light is output from the irradiation probe 10.
Furthermore, by changing the number of the light source units 112 to output the second light, the control device 200 is able to change the intensity of the second light leaked from the outer peripheral surface 10c in the leakage portion 11. In addition, in a case where the irradiation probe system 1 includes a plurality of the light source units 111 that output the first light, by changing the number of the light source units 111 that output the first light, the control device 200 is able to change the intensity of the first light output from the end portion 10a.
Furthermore, the control device 200 is able to perform switchover between the above described operation states and to change the intensity, on the basis of an instruction signal based on input of an operation by an operator to the input unit 220.
Control of Irradiation System
Furthermore, the control device 200 has a controller 210, a main storage unit 241, and an auxiliary storage device 242.
The controller 210 is, for example, a processor (a circuit), such as a central processing unit (CPU). The main storage unit 241 is, for example, a random access memory (RAM) or a read only memory (ROM). Furthermore, the auxiliary storage device 242 is, for example, a nonvolatile rewritable storage device, such as a solid state drive (SSD) or a hard disk drive (HDD).
By reading programs stored in the main storage unit 241 or the auxiliary storage device 242 and executing their processes, the controller 210 operates as an irradiation control unit 211, an input control unit 212, and an output control unit 213. The programs may each be provided by being recorded in a computer-readable recording medium, as a file having an installable format or an executable format. The recording medium may also be referred to as a program product. The programs, values to be used in arithmetic processing by the processor, and information, such as maps and tables, may be stored in the main storage unit 241 or the auxiliary storage device 242 beforehand, or may be stored in a storage unit of a computer connected to a communication network and stored into the auxiliary storage device 242 by being downloaded via the communication network. The auxiliary storage device 242 stores data written into the auxiliary storage device 242 by the processor. Furthermore, at least part of arithmetic processing executed by the controller 210 may be executed by hardware. In this case, the controller 210 may include, for example, a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).
The irradiation control unit 211 is capable of controlling output of light and stoppage of output of light individually for the respective light source units 110 included in the optical output device 100. The irradiation control unit 211 is able to performs switchover between light source units 110 to output light, among the plural light source units 110 (light sources) according to input of an operation by an operator to the input unit 220. The irradiation control unit 211 is an example of a second control unit.
The input control unit 212 receives an input signal from the input unit 220. Furthermore, the input control unit 212 may control the input unit 220 to enable input of a predetermined operation.
The output control unit 213 controls the output unit 230 to execute predetermined output.
A switchover control unit 214, a detection unit 215, a switchover mechanism 33, and a light receiving unit 250 will be described later.
Examples of Configuration of Leakage Portion (Modified Examples)Furthermore, the configurations illustrated in
In the modified example illustrated in
In the modified example illustrated in
In the modified example illustrated in
In the modified example illustrated in
In the modified example illustrated in
Detection of Returned Light from Core of Irradiation Probe
The irradiation probe system 1 may also include the light receiving unit 250 as illustrated in
The outer covers 18 protect the irradiation probe 10. The outer covers 18 transmit light from portions respectively covered with the outer covers 18, that is, light from the outer periphery of the leakage portion 11 or from an end portion 10b. The outer covers 18 are made of, for example, a synthetic resin material or synthetic resin materials having biocompatibility. Furthermore, the outer covers 18 may differ in hardness (softness) depending on locations of the outer covers 18. For example, part of the outer covers 18, the part covering the distal end of the irradiation probe 10, may be made of a comparatively hard material, and part of the outer covers 18, the part covering the outer periphery of the irradiation probe 10, may be made of a comparatively soft material.
Furthermore, the outer covers 18 are provided to be at least partially removable or detachable. This configuration enables removal or replacement of part or all of the outer covers 18 of the irradiation probe 10, for example, in a case where the outer covers 18 become unclean by use for a living body or the outer covers 18 are damaged by hitting an object, the part being part that has become unclean or part that has been damaged, and the configuration thus enables the irradiation probe 10 to be maintained hygienic comparatively easily without cleaning or sterilization of the whole irradiation probe 10. In this specification, a structure in which the outer covers 18 are removable means a structure enabling a state to be restored, the state being similar to a state before removal of the outer covers 18, by attachment of the outer covers 18 that have been removed or attachment of outer covers 18 different from the outer covers 18 that have been removed, to portions from which the outer covers 18 have been removed. Furthermore, a structure in which the outer covers 18 are removable means a structure enabling the outer covers 18 to be removed without a problem of, for example, damaging portions from which the outer covers 18 are removed.
In the example of
The outer cover 182 covers the periphery of the outer cover 181. That is, in this modified example, the outer cover 181 and the outer cover 182 are layered over each other in a radial direction. The outer cover 182 is, for example, a heat-shrinkable tube made of a synthetic resin material. In this case, the irradiation probe 10 is relatively inserted in an axial direction into the outer cover 182 having an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of the outer cover 181 in an initial state before heating, the outer cover 182 being tubular, and the outer cover 182 thereafter shrinks thermally by the heating and covers the outer cover 181. The outer cover 182 elastically presses the outer cover 181 radially inward by shrinkage upon the heating and the outer cover 182 is fixed to the periphery of the outer cover 181 by frictional force associated with the pressing force. Furthermore, a user is able to remove the outer cover 182 from the outer cover 181 by, for example, making a cut in a portion of the outer cover 182 and tearing apart the outer cover 182 from the cut. That is, the outer cover 182 is removably provided. Furthermore, after the outer cover 182 has been removed, another outer cover 182 may be attached to cover the outer cover 181 by the same procedure described above, that is, by insertion and thermal shrinkage. That is, the outer covers 18 include the outer cover 182 that is both removable and detachable. The outer cover 181 inside the outer cover 182 may be removable or detachable from the irradiation probe 10.
Furthermore, the outer cover 183 is fitted to cover the distal end of the irradiation probe 10 and end portions of the outer covers 181 and 182, the end portions being in the axial direction. The outer cover 183 is configured, for example, as a cap attached in an elastically expanded state. After the outer cover 183 has been removed, the outer cover 183 removed may be cleaned, sterilized, and reused for the irradiation probe 10, or another hygienic outer cover 183 or a brand new outer cover 183 may be attached to the irradiation probe 10. The outer covers 18 thus include the outer cover 183 that is both removable and detachable.
As described above, in a case where the irradiation probe 10 has the plural outer covers 18 that are removable or detachable, for example, only any outer cover 18 that has become unsuitable for use or unusable by becoming unclean or being damaged is able to be removed or replaced, and the running cost is thus able to be reduced as compared to a case where all of the outer covers 18 are removed and replaced.
Furthermore, in a case where the irradiation probe 10 has the plural outer covers 18 at different positions along the axis, only any outer cover 18 that has become unsuitable for use or unusable is able to be removed or replaced among all of the outer covers 18, and more efficient use of the irradiation probe 10 is thus enabled. In particular, the distal end of the irradiation probe 10 tends to become unclean by coming into contact with, for example, a living body in a mode of use where the irradiation probe 10 is used to emit light from the end portion 10b; the outer periphery of the leakage portion 11 and the distal end tend to become unclean by coming into contact with, for example, the living body in a mode of use where the irradiation probe 10 is used to emit light from the outer periphery of the leakage portion 11; and the configuration like this modified example, in which the outer cover 183 covering the distal end including the end portion 10b and the outer cover 182 covering the outer peripheral surface 10c that is the outer periphery of the leakage portion 11 are each removable or detachable, may thus be said to be suitable for these modes of use of the irradiation probe 10.
Furthermore, in a case where the outer cover 181 inside the outer cover 182 is fixed unremovably to the irradiation probe 10 like in this modified example, there is an advantage that protection is able to be achieved by the outer cover 181 even in a state where the outer cover 182 has been temporarily removed for replacement, for example.
Second Modified Example of Outer Cover that is RemovableThe outer cover 183H2 covers a root portion of the body of the irradiation probe 10, the body excluding the outer covers 18, the root portion being near a connector 19, and the outer cover 183H1 covers a portion from an intermediate portion to a distal end portion of the body, the portion excluding the root portion. The outer cover 183H2 has a tubular shape and covers the outer periphery of the root portion, and the outer cover 183H1 has a tubular shape with a bottom and covers the outer periphery of the intermediate portion, the outer periphery of the distal end portion, and an end portion in an axial direction. The outer covers 183H1 and 183H2 are configured to be separable in the axial direction. The outer periphery of a boundary between the outer covers 183H1 and 183H2 is covered with a protection member 184 that is approximately ring-shaped, so that liquid is prevented from coming in from the boundary. The protection member 184 is, for example, a tape, a band, a cover, a ring, or plural hard members that are spreadably or separably connected to each other.
The outer cover 183H2 is fixed to the root portion by, for example, bonding. Because the outer cover 183H2 is connected to the connector 19, the outer cover 183H2 is difficult to be removably or detachably configured. However, the outer cover 183H1 is detachably configured. The outer cover 183H1 may be separably integrated with the irradiation probe 10 by a peelable bonding agent (adhesive) or an attachment tool, such as the protection member 184, or may be elastically fitted with the irradiation probe 10.
As described above, the irradiation probe system 1 of the embodiment enables irradiation of a region facing the outer peripheral surface 10c of the irradiation probe 10, in addition to a region facing the end portion 10b of the irradiation probe 10, with light. That is, the embodiment enables increase in the irradiation range. Furthermore, the irradiation probe system 1 of the embodiment: enables switchover between a state where only the region facing the end portion 10b is irradiated with light, a state where only the region facing the outer peripheral surface 10c is irradiated with light, and a state where both the region facing the end portion 10b and the region facing the outer peripheral surface 10c are irradiated with light; also enables change in the intensity of irradiation in each irradiation region; and thus has an advantage of enabling flexible change in the irradiation state depending on the situation and achieving appropriate irradiation states of light in various situations.
As described above, the irradiation probe 10 and the irradiation probe system 1 including the irradiation probe 10, which have a larger irradiation range and enable change in the irradiation range and irradiation output, are able to be used in PDT. In a case where they are used in PDT, for example, a beneficial medical system is able to be constructed, the beneficial medical system having various effects, such as enabling faster treatment and enabling more reliable or more appropriate treatment.
Furthermore, the irradiation probe system 1 including the light receiving unit 250 and the detection unit 215 is able to be used in photodynamic diagnosis (PDD). In this case, because it is able to be used in both PDT and PDD, for example, an even more beneficial medical system is able to be constructed, the even more beneficial medical system having various effects, such as being compact and easy to use and facilitating implementation of more appropriate treatment.
This disclosure is able to be used for irradiation probe systems and irradiation probes.
This disclosure enables, for example, obtainment of an irradiation probe system and an irradiation probe that have been improved and are novel.
The embodiment of this disclosure has been described above by way of example, but the embodiment is just an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. The above described embodiment may be implemented in various other modes, and without departing from the gist of the disclosure, various omissions, substitutions, combinations, and modifications may be made. Furthermore, it may be implemented by modifying, as appropriate, the specifications of the components and shapes (such as, the structures, types, directions, models, sizes, lengths, widths, thicknesses, heights, numbers, arrangements, positions, and materials), for example.
Claims
1. An irradiation probe system, comprising:
- an irradiation probe having a core and first cladding surrounding the core;
- at least one light source; and
- a coupling portion that couples light output by the at least one light source, to at least one of the core and the first cladding, wherein
- the core includes a first input end portion at one end of an axis of the core, and an output end portion that is at the other end of the axis, and
- the first cladding includes: a second input end portion at one end of the axis; and a leakage portion that is provided at a position separate from the second input end portion and leaks, radially outward, light transmitted inside the first cladding, from an outer peripheral surface of the first cladding.
2. The irradiation probe system according to claim 1, wherein light transmitted inside the core is output from the output end portion.
3. The irradiation probe system according to claim 1, comprising, as the at least one light source: a light source that outputs light to be coupled to the core; and a light source that outputs light to be coupled to the first cladding.
4. The irradiation probe system according to claim 1, wherein the irradiation probe includes a first covering layer between the second input end portion and the leakage portion, the first covering layer surrounding the outer peripheral surface of the first cladding.
5. The irradiation probe system according to claim 4, wherein the first covering layer includes second cladding having a refractive index lower than that of the first cladding.
6. The irradiation probe system according to claim 1, wherein the irradiation probe includes an outer cover surrounding a surface of the irradiation probe, the surface being radially outermost.
7. The irradiation probe system according to claim 6, wherein the outer cover is made of a resin material.
8. The irradiation probe system according to claim 1, wherein the irradiation probe includes a section at a position separate, along the axis, from the leakage portion, the section being where the outer peripheral surface of the first cladding is exposed.
9. The irradiation probe system according to claim 1, wherein the irradiation probe includes a second covering layer that surrounds the core or the first cladding, the second covering layer being on an opposite side of the leakage portion, the opposite side being opposite to a side where the first input end portion is along the axis, and that reduces coupling of light from outside to the core.
10. The irradiation probe system according to claim 9, wherein the second covering layer reduces output, along the axis, of the light transmitted inside the first cladding.
11. The irradiation probe system according to claim 1, wherein the irradiation probe includes a second covering layer that surrounds the core or the first cladding, the second covering layer being on an opposite side of the leakage portion, the opposite side being opposite to a side where the first input end portion is along the axis, and that reduces output, along the axis, of the light transmitted inside the first cladding.
12. The irradiation probe system according to claim 1, comprising a first optical element that directs, at the output end portion, light transmitted in the core, radially outward.
13. The irradiation probe system according to claim 12, wherein the first optical element is configured to be detachable.
14. The irradiation probe system according to claim 1, wherein the leakage portion includes a recessed portion or a protruding portion provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first cladding.
15. The irradiation probe system according to claim 1, wherein the leakage portion includes particles or holes provided inside the first cladding.
16. The irradiation probe system according to claim 1, wherein the leakage portion includes a section where the outer peripheral surface of the first cladding changes in shape along the axis.
17. The irradiation probe system according to claim 1, wherein the leakage portion includes a curved portion of the first cladding.
18. The irradiation probe system according to claim 1, wherein the leakage portion includes a scattering layer that: is provided radially outside the first cladding; and propagates and scatters, radially outward, the light from the first cladding.
19. The irradiation probe system according to claim 1, wherein
- the first input end portion and the second input end portion are arranged in a radial direction at one end of the axis, and
- the coupling portion couples light output from one of the at least one light source to the core and couples light output from another one of the at least one light source to the first cladding.
20. The irradiation probe system according to claim 1, wherein the coupling portion is optically connected to the core and the first cladding.
21. The irradiation probe system according to claim 1, wherein the coupling portion includes a fiber bundle that is a bundle of: a first transmission optical fiber that transmits light output by one of the at least one light source and coupled to the core; and a second transmission optical fiber that transmits light output by another one of the at least one light source and coupled to the first cladding.
22. The irradiation probe system according to claim 21, wherein the fiber bundle is a tapered fiber bundle that is tapered toward the irradiation probe.
23. The irradiation probe system according to claim 1, comprising:
- a switchover mechanism that performs selective coupling of light output by the light source to the core or to the first cladding; and
- a first control unit that controls the selective coupling by the switchover mechanism.
24. The irradiation probe system according to claim 23, comprising:
- an operation input unit for a user, wherein
- the first control unit controls the selective coupling by the switchover mechanism according to input of an operation by the user to the operation input unit.
25. The irradiation probe system according to claim 1, comprising:
- plural light sources as the at least one light source, and
- a second control unit that performs switchover between light sources to output light, among the plural light sources.
26. The irradiation probe system according to claim 25, wherein the plural light sources include a light source that outputs light to be coupled to the core and a light source that outputs light to be coupled to the first cladding.
27. The irradiation probe system according to claim 25, wherein the plural light sources include plural light sources that output light to be coupled to the core or plural light sources that output light to be coupled to the first cladding.
28. The irradiation probe system according to claim 25, comprising:
- an operation input unit for a user, wherein
- the second control unit performs switchover between light sources to output light, among the plural light sources, according to input of an operation by the user to the operation input unit.
29. The irradiation probe system according to claim 1, comprising a detection unit that detects light coupled to the output end portion, transmitted inside the core, and output from the first input end portion.
30. The irradiation probe system according to claim 29, wherein the irradiation probe includes a second optical element that couples light coming from outside, to the output end portion.
31. The irradiation probe system according to claim 30, wherein the second optical element is configured to be detachable.
32. The irradiation probe system according to claim 1, comprising:
- a third optical element: having a reflection portion that reflects second light output from the other end of the axis of the irradiation probe; and configured to be detachable from the irradiation probe, wherein
- the irradiation probe system is configured so that the second light reflected by the reflection portion is coupled to the first cladding, at the other end.
33. The irradiation probe system according to claim 1, wherein the irradiation probe includes an outer cover that is removable or detachable.
34. The irradiation probe system according to claim 33, wherein the irradiation probe includes, as the outer cover, plural outer covers that are removable or detachable.
35. The irradiation probe system according to claim 34, wherein the irradiation probe includes, as the outer cover, plural outer covers that are at different positions along the axis.
36. The irradiation probe system according to claim 35, wherein the irradiation probe includes, as the outer cover, an outer cover covering the output end portion and an outer cover covering an outer periphery of the leakage portion.
37. The irradiation probe system according to claim 33, wherein the irradiation probe includes a fixed outer cover and an outer cover that covers the fixed outer cover removably or detachably.
38. The irradiation probe system according to claim 33, wherein the irradiation probe includes, as the outer cover, plural outer covers that have been layered over one another.
39. The irradiation probe system according to claim 38, wherein the plural outer covers that have been layered over one another are configured to be removable one by one from outside.
40. The irradiation probe system according to claim 33, wherein the outer cover is provided at a portion that comes into contact with a living body upon use for the living body.
41. The irradiation probe system according to claim 33, wherein the outer cover is made of a biocompatible resin material.
42. An irradiation probe comprising a core and first cladding surrounding the core, wherein
- the core includes: a first input end portion at one end of an axis of the core; and an output end portion that is at the other end of the axis, and
- the first cladding includes: a second input end portion at one end of the axis; and a leakage portion that is provided at a position separate from the second input end portion and leaks, radially outward, light transmitted inside the first cladding, from an outer peripheral surface of the first cladding.
43. The irradiation probe according to claim 42, wherein light transmitted inside the core is output from the output end portion.
44. The irradiation probe according to claim 42, comprising a first covering layer between the second input end portion and the leakage portion, the first covering layer surrounding the outer peripheral surface of the first cladding.
45. The irradiation probe according to claim 44, wherein the first covering layer includes second cladding having a refractive index lower than that of the first cladding.
46. The irradiation probe according to claim 42, comprising an outer cover surrounding a surface of the irradiation probe, the surface being radially outermost.
47. The irradiation probe system according to claim 46, wherein the outer cover is made of a resin material.
48. The irradiation probe according to claim 42, wherein the leakage portion includes particles or holes provided inside the first cladding.
49. The irradiation probe according to claim 42, comprising an outer cover that is removable or detachable.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 19, 2023
Publication Date: Jan 4, 2024
Applicant: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD. (Tokyo)
Inventors: Masaki IWAMA (Tokyo), Yutaka NOMURA (Tokyo), Shunichi MATSUSHITA (Tokyo)
Application Number: 18/469,598